App Koln Academy for Applied Psychology and Psychotherapy

What App Koln Academy for Applied Psychology and Psychotherapy does

APP Köln - Akademie für angewandte Psychologie und Psychotherapie GmbH is a state-recognized psychotherapy training institute and outpatient clinic operator headquartered in Köln-Porz, Germany, structured as a privately held GmbH with 11–50 employees. It delivers Approbation-track training programs in three adult psychotherapy modalities — Verhaltenstherapie (€27,060), Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie (€29,260), and Systemische Therapie (€28,380) — plus a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (KJP-VT) specialization, offered in 5-year part-time or 3-year full-time formats. The institute also operates an authorized outpatient clinic network (Ambulanz) at five locations across North Rhine-Westphalia (Köln-Porz, Siegburg, Bonn, Neuss, Düsseldorf), billed through statutory and private health insurers under KVNO Ermächtigung, with specialized clinics for Long-COVID, autism, psychotrauma (including refugee care), and psycho-oncology.

The business model combines two complementary revenue streams: multi-year training tuition billed in quarterly installments, and GKV-reimbursed outpatient treatment revenue from the training clinic. The Ermächtigung creates a structurally distinctive financial model in which trainee-conducted patient treatments generate billable clinic revenue that is partly used to subsidize training operations and partly distributed to treating trainees, partially offsetting tuition costs for participants. A third revenue layer comes from continuing education (Fortbildung) programs in autism therapy, group psychotherapy, psycho-oncology (120-hour DKG-accredited), trauma therapy, and KJP-VT supplementary qualification, plus physician-focused CME in psychosomatic basic care, Balint groups, and Facharzt-Weiterbildung. Underlying technology is essentially non-proprietary — the institute relies on a standard website, the Dubidoc online booking platform for first patient sessions, Google Analytics for web analytics, and KBV-compliant video consultation tools for psychotherapeutische Videosprechstunde.

APP Köln is currently operating in a regulatory transition period. It continues to deliver 'altes Recht' training to students who began their qualifying bachelor's programs before September 1, 2020, with the statutory transition window extending to 2032, and has applied for accreditation as a Weiterbildungsinstitut under the new reform framework to secure post-transition continuity. The institution holds institutional memberships in AVP, VIBP, DFT, and DGSF and maintains a research collaboration with the University of Zurich's Clinical Psychology unit, positioning it within the German psychotherapy training policy and research community.

Name

App Koln Academy for Applied Psychology and Psychotherapy

Legal name

Akademie für angewandte Psychologie und Psychotherapie GmbH

Website

https://app-koeln.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APP Köln is a state-recognized German psychotherapy training institute and outpatient clinic operator in North Rhine-Westphalia, delivering Approbation-track programs in behavioral, depth-psychology, and systemic therapy plus KJP-VT, and operating GKV-billed clinics across five locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Psychotherapy Training & Education

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (62133)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD), Mental Health Counseling & Psychotherapy Services (EDALAFAB)

Keywords

• Psychotherapy training programs
• Outpatient mental health services
• Behavioral therapy education
• Depth psychology psychotherapist training
• Systemic therapy certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training program tuition fees: APP Köln charges tuition fees for its psychotherapy training programs across three specializations: Verhaltenstherapie (€27,060 total), Tiefenpsychologie (€29,260 total), and Systemische Therapie (€28,380 total). Payment is structured as quarterly installments aligned with the training timeline.
2. Outpatient clinic reimbursements: Training participants conduct outpatient treatments under supervision at the institute's authorized training clinic (Ermächtigung from KV Nordrhein). Treatments are billed to statutory health insurers (GKV), with revenues primarily used to finance clinic operations; any surplus is distributed to treating trainees. This model effectively subsidizes training costs for participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

APP Köln is a state-recognized psychotherapy training institute that offers multi-year Ausbildung programs in Verhaltenstherapie (€27,060 total), Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie (€29,260 total), and Systemische Therapie (€28,380 total), as well as Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, structured as three-year full-time or five-year part-time curricula leading to Approbation. The institute operates an authorized outpatient clinic (KVNO Ermächtigung) where trainees conduct treatments billable to statutory health insurers, with locations in Köln-Porz, Siegburg, Bonn, Neuss, and Düsseldorf, providing psychotherapy for adults and children/adolescents. It also delivers physician continuing education (Weiterbildung) in psychosomatic basic care, Balint groups, and specialist psychotherapy qualification, plus discrete continuing education (Fortbildung) programs in autism therapy, group psychotherapy, psycho-oncology, and trauma therapy.

Product overview

APP Köln is a state-recognized training institute (Ausbildungsstätte) for psychotherapy education, operating as a multi-product portfolio organized into four main pillars: (1) Training programs (Ausbildung) in three psychotherapy specializations for adults — Verhaltenstherapie (PP-VT), Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie (PP-TP), and Systemische Therapie (PP-ST) — plus one for children and adolescents (KJP-VT); (2) Outpatient clinics (Ambulanzen) providing psychotherapy across five locations in Köln-Porz, Siegburg, Bonn, Neuss, and Düsseldorf, including general psychotherapy and four specialized clinics for Long-COVID, autism, trauma, and psycho-oncology; (3) Continuing education (Fortbildung) programs in autism therapy, group psychotherapy, psycho-oncology, trauma therapy, and KJP-VT supplementary qualification; and (4) Physician continuing education (Weiterbildung für Ärzte) in psychosomatic basic care, Balint groups, psychotherapy designation, and specialist training. The institution also offers a digital video psychotherapy service (Videosprechstunde) as a module within its treatment offerings. Training program costs range from €27,060 to €29,260 depending on specialization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ausbildung Verhaltenstherapie (PP-VT) A five-year part-time or three-year full-time state-recognized training program to become a Psychological Psychotherapist specializing in Behavioral Therapy (Verhaltenstherapie), covering CBT, schema therapy, ACT, CBASP, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma/hypnotherapy techniques. Total cost €27,060 paid in quarterly installments.
• Ausbildung Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie (PP-TP) A state-recognized training program to become a Psychological Psychotherapist specializing in Psychodynamically Oriented Psychotherapy (Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie), covering unconscious conflict theory, psychodynamic diagnostics, short- and long-term therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, and specialized approaches for structural disorders. Total cost €29,260.
• Ausbildung Systemische Therapie (PP-ST) A state-recognized training program to become a Psychological Psychotherapist specializing in Systemic Therapy, covering system theory, systemic diagnostics, multi-person settings, family therapy, crisis intervention, and specialized approaches for severe mental illness. Total cost €28,380. Incorporated into the GKV benefits catalog in November 2019.
• Ausbildung Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie (KJP-VT) A state-recognized training program to become a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with a systemic-cognitive-behavioral focus, covering developmental stages from infants to young adults, parent coaching, play therapy, school-based interventions, and adolescent autonomy work.
• Ambulanz für Psychotherapie Outpatient psychotherapy clinic providing behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and systemic therapy for adults, children, and adolescents, with sessions reimbursable through statutory and private health insurance. Locations in Köln-Porz, Bonn, Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Siegburg.
• Ambulanz für Long-COVID-Therapie Specialized outpatient clinic offering psychological treatment for patients experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19 infection.
• Ambulanz für Autismustherapie Specialized outpatient clinic providing therapeutic interventions for individuals with autism spectrum conditions.
• Ambulanz für Psychotraumatherapie Specialized outpatient clinic for trauma therapy, offering psychotherapeutic treatment for trauma-related disorders, including treatment for refugees with cooperation with interpreters in psychotherapy.
• Ambulanz für Psychoonkologie Psycho-oncology outpatient clinic providing individual counseling for cancer patients and their relatives, located in Köln-Porz.
• ADHS Diagnostik ADHD diagnostic service providing assessment and evaluation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults.
• Paartherapie Couples therapy services offered as part of the psychotherapy treatment portfolio, focusing on relationship and communication patterns.
• Fortbildung Autismustherapie Continuing education program in autism therapy covering PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and TEACCH structural support approaches; instructor Britta Schroll.
• Fortbildung Gruppenpsychotherapie Continuing education in group psychotherapy within the behavioral therapy (Verhaltenstherapie) specialization area.
• Fortbildung Psychoonkologie 120-hour continuing education curriculum in psycho-oncology, accredited by the Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft (German Cancer Society).
• Fortbildung Psychotraumatherapie Continuing education in trauma therapy, providing specialized training for therapists working with trauma-related disorders.
• Ergänzungsqualifikation KJP - VT Supplementary qualification for child and adolescent psychotherapy in behavioral therapy, offering additional specialization for practitioners.
• Weiterbildung Psychosomatische Grundversorgung Continuing medical education in psychosomatic basic care for physicians, providing foundational skills in psychosomatic medicine.
• Balintgruppe Balint group supervision for physicians, a form of group psychotherapy focusing on the doctor-patient relationship and case-based reflection.
• Zusatzbezeichnung Psychotherapie fachgebunden Additional designation in specialized psychotherapy for physicians, enabling them to practice psychotherapy within their medical specialty.
• Facharzt-Weiterbildung Specialist medical training in psychotherapy, supporting physicians in obtaining additional qualifications in psychotherapy.
• Videosprechstunde (Psychotherapeutische) Video-based psychotherapy sessions (psychotherapeutische Videosprechstunde), reimbursable under GKV since October 2019. Requires prior in-person contact and end-to-end encrypted video transmission per KBV standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Training programs can be completed in 3–5 years under normal circumstances
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Psychiatrische Kliniken (Psychiatric Clinics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPP Köln requires trainees to complete 1,200 hours of practical training (Praktische Tätigkeit I) at cooperating psychiatric clinics over a minimum of 12 months as a mandatory component of psychotherapy training. This partnership provides trainees with clinical experience in diagnosing and treating psychotic vs. neurotic presentations.
• Kooperierende Einrichtungen der psychotherapeutischen/psychosomatischen VersorgungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrainees complete 600 hours of Praktische Tätigkeit II at cooperating psychosomatic clinics, rehabilitation facilities (Kur-Kliniken), and teaching practices (Lehrpraxen) of established psychotherapists and physicians. These placements provide exposure to the full breadth of outpatient and inpatient care settings.
• Uni Zürich — Klinische Psychologie, Schwerpunkt Psychotherapeutische ForschungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPP Köln collaborates with the University of Zurich's Clinical Psychology department, specifically the Psychotherapy Research unit, particularly on digital therapy topics. This partnership contributes to academic exchange and research in psychotherapy methodology.
• Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV)coreOthersKBV sets the regulatory framework for video consultation services (Videosprechstunde) and has published guidelines for psychotherapeutic video consultations. APP Köln's training incorporates these standards and participates in the KBV ecosystem for telemedicine reimbursement.
• Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein (KVNO)coreOthersKVNO has granted APP Köln Ermächtigung (authorization) for its training outpatient clinic, enabling trainees to bill statutory health insurers for psychotherapy treatments. KVNO also sets technical and professional requirements for video consultations within its jurisdiction.
• AVP — Arbeitsgemeinschaft für wissenschaftlich begründete PsychotherapieausbildungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPP Köln is a member of the AVP, a consortium of psychotherapy training institutes advocating for the preservation of multi-method training standards. AVP represents member institutes in policy discussions with ministries, BPtK, LPK, BÄK, KBV, and professional associations, and promotes research standards that reflect real-world clinical complexity.
• VIBP — Verband der Institute für beziehungsorientierte PsychotherapieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPP Köln participates in the VIBP, an association of institutes for relationship-oriented psychotherapy, which has published position statements on training reform and advocated for maintaining training quality in private institutes.
• DFT — Deutsche Fachgesellschaft für Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPP Köln is a member of the DFT, the sole professional society representing depth psychology-based psychotherapy (Tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie) in Germany, which advocates for the discipline in healthcare policy, research, and professional development.
• DGSF — Deutsche Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie, Beratung und FamilientherapieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPP Köln holds institutional membership in the DGSF, Germany's leading society for systemic therapy, family therapy, and systemic counseling. This supports the institute's training in systemic therapy methodology and connects it to the broader systemic therapy professional community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Asklepios Kliniken: Asklepios is a major German private hospital group with psychiatry and psychosomatic care across many sites. Comparable to APP Köln only at the clinical delivery level — it does not offer psychotherapy Ausbildung programs.
• Oberberg Kliniken: Oberberg is a leading private hospital chain specializing in psychiatry, psychosomatics, and psychotherapy across multiple German sites. It is a broader incumbent in the same outpatient mental health services category but does not focus on training.
• Helios Kliniken (Fresenius): Helios operates one of Germany's largest hospital networks, including psychiatric and psychosomatic departments. As a broad incumbent, it offers overlapping psychotherapy delivery and CME opportunities but is not a focused training institute.

Emerging players

• Selfapy: Selfapy is a German digital therapeutic platform delivering online CBT-based programs reimbursed as DiGA. It is an emerging player intersecting with APP Köln's interest in digital therapy modalities and ongoing internet-based intervention content.
• Minddoc: Minddoc is a digital mental health platform offering app-based psychological interventions and online psychotherapy referrals. It overlaps with APP Köln's Videosprechstunde and digital therapy focus areas as an emerging channel competitor.

Direct peers

• Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Verhaltensmodifikation (AVM) Akademie: AVM is a long-standing German training institute for behavioral therapy with comparable Ausbildung programs and outpatient clinic operations, serving overlapping applicant pools and clinical specialties as APP Köln.
• IFT Institut für Therapieforschung München: IFT München is a private psychotherapy research and training institute offering Ausbildung and Fortbildung programs alongside outpatient services. It directly overlaps with APP Köln's combined training-plus-clinic model in Bavaria.
• Milton Erickson Institut (Deutschland): The Milton Erickson Institut provides state-recognized training and continuing education in Systemic Therapy, hypnotherapy, and solution-focused methods. It is a direct comparator to APP Köln's Systemische Therapie (PP-ST) track.
• CIP Centrum für Integrative Psychotherapie München: CIP München is a private Ausbildungsinstitut for psychodynamic and integrative psychotherapy, also operating outpatient clinics. It competes with APP Köln for psychology graduates seeking Approbation-eligible training in southern Germany.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verhaltenstherapie (DGVT): DGVT is one of Germany's largest scientific associations and Ausbildungsinstitute for behavioral therapy (Verhaltenstherapie). It offers comparable state-recognized training and continuing education programs serving the same psychotherapy trainee and physician CE segments as APP Köln.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/appkoeln

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about App Koln Academy for Applied Psychology and Psychotherapy